Game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game device comprises a rotatable body portion through which a plurality of channels are formed. Both opposite ends of each channel communicate with openings on the outer surface of the body which are preferably evenly spaced from one another. A plurality of player members are adapted to snuggly fit within the channels. The body can be of various configurations including flat disc like, spherical and double conical shapes.

United States Patent [191 Charves 5] Nov. 11, 1975 1 GAME APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Virginia A. Charves, 142 John St.,

East Providence, RI. 02914 22 Filed: Nov. 27, 1974 21 App1.No.:527,543

[52] U.S. Cl 273/138 R; 273/1 R; 273/108 [51] Int. Cl. A63f 9/00 [58] Field of Search 273/1 R, l E, l M, 108.

273/118,120,153 R. 153 8,130 R, 130 A, 130 AB, 138. 109

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.560.921 1 H1925 Von BultzinkSlOWen. 273/153 S UX 2.509.340 5/1950 Fly 273/109 2.977.713 4/1961 Alelyunas 273/153 S'UX 3.195.894 7/1965 Alsaker et a1. 273/1 M X 3.592.471 Swimmer et a1 273/109 X 3.610.628 1()/l971 Promin 273/153 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 4,701 2/1898 United Kingdom 273/109 Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lohn A. Haug [57] ABSTRACT A game device comprises a rotatable body portion through which a plurality of channels are formed. Both opposite ends of each channel communicate with openings on the outer surface of the body which are preferably evenly spaced from one another. A plurality of player members are adapted to snuggly fit within the channels. The body can be of various configurations including flat disc like, spherical and double conical shapes.

I O Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 Y 3,918,717

* .s. Patent Nov.11,1975 sheetzof-z 3,918,717

wjyjglp wv GAME APPARATUS This invention relates generally to games and more specifically to a novel device to provide amusement for two or more players and in which chance rather than skill is the primary characteristic.

While many games and toys are available to amuse people there is an ever present demand for new and dif-' ferent ones. It is an object of this invention to provide 26 is straight while the longitudinal axis of channels 22,

a game which is particularly useful for young children,

a game which requires little or no skill to play, one which is simple and easy to learn to play and one which provides an element of surprise as well as amusement.

Briefly the game comprises a rotatable body of various configurations including flat disc, spherical and double conical shapes in which a plurality of channels are formed each communicating with a pair ofopenings extending from the first to the second opening of the pair in the outer surface of the body. The channels lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the body. A plurality of members are adapted to snuggly fit into the channels. i

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of the various possible embodiments of they invention are illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofa device made in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2' is a top plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with the'top portion removed;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a player member useful with the device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a device made in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a player member useful with the FIG. 6 embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the FIG. 6 player member.

Dimensions of certain of the parts as shown in the drawings may have been modified or exaggerated for the purpose of clarity of illustration.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combination of elements, features of construction, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

Now with particular reference to FIGS. l-3 a first embodiment of the invention which can be called worm in the apple" will be described.

Reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 generally depicts a device made in accordance with said first embodiment. Device 10 comprises a stand 12 on which a body 14, which may be made to appear as an apple, is rotatably mounted in any convenient manner. as by pin 16. Body 14 comprises first and second affixed halves 18, 20. Any convenient means can be employed for locking the halves together in proper orientation such as pin 17 and hole 19 in each body half. As seen in FIG. 2 body half 20 is formed with a plurality of channels 22, 24, 26. Channel 22 extends from a first opening 30 to a second opening 32 in the outer surface of body half 20. Similarly channel 24 extends from a first opening 34 to a second opening 36 and channel 26 extends from a first opening 38 to a second opening 40. Channels are also 24 are arcuate for a purpose to be explained below.

. The channels all lie in a plane which isperpendicular to the axis of rotation, defined by pin 16, of body 14.

FIG. 3 depicts a player member 50 which is of such a size that it can fit into channels 22, 24, 26. Preferably member 50 is'a flexible worm like member which may conveniently comprise a plurality of bead like elements 52 separated by cloth like discs- 54. These may be mounted on a string (now shown). Discs 54 snuggly engage the walls of the channels permitting movement of member 50 in the channel when pushed by an object such as another member 50 but preventing movement of the member when body 14 is gently rotated or spun.

A plurality of worm members 50 are provided in several colors so that each player may choose a different color for his worms. 1

A typical game may be player as follows. For purposes of illustration the game will be explained for four players. Each player chooses one color of worms 50 and places in front of him five worms of his chosen color. One player is chosen to have the first turn in any convenient manner. The first player takes one of his worms and puts it into any one of the six worm holes 30-40 in apple 10. The first player gently spins the apple for a few turns (avoiding sufficient centrifugal force to cause worm 50 to come back out of the hole). Then the next player picks up one of his worms and in like manner puts it into any one of worm holes 30-40. Again apple 10 is given several turns and the play passes to the next player. Play continues in this manner until the channels 20, 22, 24 become filled with worms of various colors. Eventually, upon insertion of a worm, another will be forced out and will pop out of another hole. For instance if channel 24 is filled insertion of a worm 50 in hole 34 will force another worm 50 out of hole 36. HOwever the players will not know which hole the worms will come out because of the configuration of the several channels and because of the spinning of the apple after each turn. Each time a worm pops out the player who has that particular color must take it back. The first player to run out of worms because they are all in the apple wins the game.

When fewer people play the game more worms are provided for each player. Thus when three people play the game each player takes six worms of a given color and when two people play the game each player needs seven worms. It will be understood of course that the particular number of worms required for a game is a function of the length of each worm and the total length of the channels.

Turning now to FIG. 4 a second embodiment of the invention is depicted. A flat disc like body comprises top and bottom halves 62, 64 rotatably mounted at 66 on a conventional stand 68. As in the FIG. 1 embodiment a plurality of holes 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80 are provided for channels similar to those shown in FIG. 2.

Flexible worm 50 shown in FIG. 3 can also be used with body 60 and the game can be played in the same manner as explained with regard to the FIGS. 1, 2 cm- 3 hodiment.

HG. 5 shows a double conical body I00, simulating a flying saucer for instance. comprising top half I02 and bottom half 104. As in the previous embodiments a plu rality of channels are formed in the body I00 in communication with holes 110, 112, 114, 116,118 and 120 however. in this embodiment the channels in cross section are rectangular to accomodate disc like space man members 50 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. A separate stand can be provided for body 100 or the body can be spun on either of its apexes 106, 108. The game can be played in the same manner as described with the FIG. 1 embodiment Thus a unique game has been described in detail which is amusing to play yet requires little or no skill.

Various changes and modifications in the above described invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art such as the provision of fewer or more channels in the rotatable body member and any of such changes or modifications are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

l claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising a rotatable base member having an outer surface,

the surface formed with a plurality of pairs of holes therein;

a channel formed in, the base member extending therethrough between the holes of each respective pair, and

player members are substantially shorter inlength than i any of the channels.

3. Game apparatus according to claim 2 in which the player members are elongated and flexible.

4. Game apparatus according to claim 2.in which the player members are of such size that they fit within the channels with a slightfriction fit.

5. Game apparatus according to claim 2 in which the player members'are generally flat disc shaped.

6. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the channels have a longitudinal axis and the axis of one channel is straight in length.

7. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the channels have a longitudinal axis and the axis of tw channels are arcuate in length.

8. 'Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the holes are uniformly spaced from one another and all.

the holes intersect a plane perpendicular to the axesof rotation of the base member.

'9. Game apparatus according to claim 8 in-which there are three pairs of holes; and three channels, the I channels having a longitudinal axis, the axis of two channels arcuate in length and the axis of one channel straight in length.

10. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the base member is formed of a first and second half and means is provided to lock the'two halves together in proper orientation. l 

1. Game apparatus comprising a rotatable base member having an outer surface, the surface formed with a plurality of pairs of holes therein; a channel formed in the base member extending therethrough between the holes of each respective pair, and a plurality of player members adapted to movably fit within the channels.
 2. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the player members are substantially shorter in length than any of the channels.
 3. Game apparatus according to claim 2 in which the player members are elongated and flexible.
 4. Game apparatus according to claim 2 in which the player members are of such size that they fit within the channels with a slight friction fit.
 5. Game apparatus according to claim 2 in which the player members are generally flat disc shaped.
 6. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the channels have a longitudinal axis and the axis of one channel is straight in length.
 7. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the channels have a longitudinal axis and the axis of two channels are arcuate in length.
 8. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the holes are uniformly spaced from one another and all the holes intersect a plane perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the base member.
 9. Game apparatus according to claim 8 in which there are three pairs of holes, and three channels, the channels having a longitudinal axis, the axis of two channels arcuate in length and the axis of one channel straight in length.
 10. Game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the base member is formed of a first and second half and means is provided to lock the two halves together in proper orientation. 